Loose-leaf binder



A. RUBIN.

LOOSE LEAF BINDER.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 7. 1920'.

Patented Sept. 20, 1921.

N/ Z My F L A 0 p g sU T STATES PATENT'OFFICE.

jnnoLPH RUBIN, 0F stu'LouIs, ivussoum, ss IGNoR T0 SIEBER rnonucrs MFG. co.,

on ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION or MISSOURI.

LoosE-Lm BINDER.

.ers' of the type in which the leaves are retained in position by tapes, bands or cordsconnected to awinding shaft which can be I turned in one' direction to tightenthe tapes,

and thus cause the'leaves to be securely clamped between portions of the binder;

Many of the loose leaf binders of the particular type referred to that are now in general use are provided with a winding shaft which is j ournaled in a supporting member that extends the entire length of the binder, said supporting member usually having a number of bearings for the winding shaft, and slots up through which the tapes lead from the underside of the winding shaft. Accordingly, a. greatv number of different sizes of winding shaft supporting members have to be kept in stock to supply the demand for binders of varying lengths and binders that are equipped with two, three, four or more tap'es,'as itis not possible to use the same shaft supporting member for a longbinder and for a short binder, or for a two, three orfour tape binder.

One of the objects ofmy present invention is to provide a loose-leaf binder that is composed of standard parts or units which can be used with long or short books or books whose leaves are held in place with two three, four 'or more tapes. 7

Another object is to provide an inexpensive loose leaf binder of substantial construction whose winding shaft is normally locked by a mechanism. of novel design that cannot be released. 'or rendered inoperative by an unauthorized person.

H Specification of Letters Ifatent. Patented Sept, 20, 1921 Application filed June 7, 1920. "Serial No. 387,022.

with a ratchet mechanism that makes. a noise when the winding shaft 1s being turned 1n one direction and which remains sllent when said shaft is being turned in the opposite di- 7 able features of my invention will be here inafter pointed out. I I

Figure. 1 of the drawings 'is'a top plan view ofa loose leaf binder constructed in accordance with my invention with the leaves-of the book omitted so as to more a:

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view of a porcollar on the "winding shaft.

' Referring to the drawings which .illu's-.

trate the preferred form of my invention,

A designates the winding shaft of my im-- tion of the winding keyiand the tapered proved binder, and B designates tapesv or 7 bands of flexible material that pass through slots in leaves C which are arranged between the covers D of. the binder, said tapes being connected at one, end to a leaf clamping member E carried by one of the covers of Y the binder and combinedwithleaf clamping memberscarried by the other cover of the binderrin such a manner that when the winding shaft A is turned in one direction the 1;

tapes will be tightened so as to draw the leaf clamping members together and'thus securely clam-p the leaves G of the binder between said members. i

Instead of mounting the winding shaft A in bearings on a part, usually a leaf clamping member, that extends the entirelength ofthe binder, as has heretofore been the usual practice in one type of loose leaf binder that is now in general use, I mount r the winding shaft of my improved binder in a plurality of members, each of which consists of a separate unit that is detachably connected to one of the covers of the binder.

One of said unitscarries all of the elements 1 i of the locking mechanism for the winding shaft and the other units each consist of a part that assistsin supporting the winding shaft and which forms a portion of aleaf clamping element on one of the covers of the binder. Said elements can be arranged closely together or far apart so as to vary 7 the distance between the tapes ofthe binder I and two, three, four or more of said elements can be used in a binder, depending upon the number of tapes the binder is equipped with. In other words, my improved binder may be said to comprise main section or unit that forms the principal support for the winding shaft and which carries the locking mechanism for said windsing shaft and one or more additional sect 1ons or umts adapted to be arranged 1n various positions with relation to the main element, depending upon the spacing deslred' between the tapes, or the number of tapes'the binder is to be equipped with.

binderand an auxiliary section or unit F;

. Inthe binder herein shown, which is "equipped with two tapes B, the winding shaft A is 'journaled in a main section or unit 'F arranged at the lower end oflthe arranged at the'upper end of the binder. If it isdesired to co-nstruct a three tape binder, one unit F and two auxiliary units F are used. The units F and F are detachably connected to one of the covers ofthe binder, thereby enabling them to be arranged comparatively closely together or spaced far 2 comprises aleaf clamping portion 1 pro vided with a plurality of bearings 2 forthe winding shaft and having a slot 3 up through which theupper tape B leads from the underside of the winding shaft, as shown in Fig. .1.

The units F and F .can be detachablv connected to one of the covers D of the binder in various ways without departing from the spirit of my invention, but I ,prefer to connect said elements to the left hand cover by a flexible hinge 4 provided .with a rod or piece of wire 5 so as to form areinforced edge to which the elements F and F? can be secured, preferably by crimping or bending portions 6 and 6 of said units over the reinforced edge of said flexible hinge. The leafclamping member E that is carried by theright hand cover of the binder hinge at.

Y tapes.

is preferably connected to sameby a flexible The locking mechanismrfor the winding shaftnis so constructed that an unauthorized person cannot turn the winding shaft in a direction to 'slacken the tapes-B sufficiently to permit the leaves C to be removed. Said locking mechanism is composed of a ratchet wheel 7 of tubular form mounted on the winding shaft A, a cooperating-stationary ratchet element 8 of tubular form through which the winding shaft passes and a. coiled spring 9 mounted on the winding shaft'between the ratchet wheel 7 and one of the bearings 2 on the unit F for exerting pressure on said ratchet wheel 7 ina direction tending to hold itin engagement with the stationary ratchetelement 8. The means for disengaging the ratchet wheel 7 from the stationary ratchet element 8 consists of a' rod 10 arranged in a-longitudinally-disposed groove inthe winding shaft A and provided at its upper end with a lat-- 'era'l extension l'O 'that fits in an elongated slot 7 in the ratchet wheel 7, a collar 11.

slidingly mounted on the winding shaft and rigidly connected to the lower end of the rod 10, as forexample, by means of a pin or a lateral extension 11 on said rod,*and a key Gthat'is' adapted to be slipped over the lower end of, the winding shaft and which so constructed that rotary. movement of said .key 1n anti-clockwlse direction exerts upward pressure on the collarll, so as to disengage the ratchet wheel 7 from the stationary element 8 of r the "ratchet mecha nism, and thus: permit the winding shaft to be'turned in a direction to slacken. the

VVhen said key G is turned in tapes B. the reverse direction the winding shaft A will be rotated ina direction to tighten the As shown in Fig. 1, the key G is provided with a tubular portion 12 having an inclined slot 13 open 'at' one end and adapted to-receive a laterally-projecting pin 14 on the winding shaft A. The lower end of the collar 11 is preferably tapered to a knife edge, as shownin Fig. 4:, so as to eliminate a shoulder on said collar against which an instrumentother than the key G can be placed, so as to force the collar upwardly. The end of thekey Gr is so shaped that it will conform to the tapered endof the-00L 'lar 11. VVhenthe key-G is slipped over the lower endof the winding shaft and turned to the left or in anti-clockwise direction, said key will be moved upwardly (looking at Fig. 1) by. the engagementof the walls ofthe inclined slot 13in the tubular portion of said key with the pin 14 on the winding shaft, thereby causing the collar 11. to

move'upwardly Sufiiciently tor-cause the rod 10 to disengage the ratchetjwheel 7 from' the stationary element 8 of the ratchet mechanism. 2 fContinued rotary movement, of the-key G to the'left causes the winding shaft to turn in-a directiontoslacken'the tapes B. When the winding key G is turned in the" opposite direction,' a shoulder or straight.portion13 of theislot 13;inthe-tub1ilar portion of the key bears against thepin 14 on the winding'shaft and causes the W1I1C ling shaft to rotate in a directionto tightenthe tapes, the first portion'of". the rotary 'movement of the vwindingkey to the right or in clockwise direction permitting the spring 9 to move the ratchetwheel 7 downwardly into-engagement with the stationary elementof the ratchetmechanism; v Accordingly, when the winding: shaft is. 1 being turned in a direction to tighten; the tapes,

theratchet-wheel 7 willsn'ap over the stationaryelement 8 of the ratchet mechanism mechanism is silent, due, of course, tothe' fact that the ratchet 'wheel' 7 is then held out of engagement with the stationary'ela 'ment 8 of the ratchet mechanism. ,Inthe binder herein shown the stationary element 8 of the ratchet mechanism is econnectedto the unit F of which it forms a part by means of a bifurcated portion 15 on said element 8 that fits ina-notch 16. in'theportion of the unit F that carries the shaft bearings it is immateri'ahso faras my broad idea is concerned, how the stationary element8 of the ratchet mechanismis retained in position. I By constructing the binder in the manner above described, namely,using a main unit that carries the locking m'echanism forthe Winding shaft and forms the main support for the winding shaft and one-or more auxiliary units that can' be slippedover the winding shaft andarranged in any desired position with relation to the main unit, I overcome the necessity of carrying in stock parts that are suitable only for a binder-of aparticular length ,or' for. a binder provided with a certain-number of tapes.- Moreover, such abinder is inexpensive to manuface ture'; it is provided'with' a lockingmechanism forthe winding shaft that is not liable to break or et'out ofjorderwhen in service, and said 100 ing mechanism is of such design that'it cannot be released'or rendered inoperative by a clock key or similar socketed key; Such a binder is easy to operate, due to the fact that a simple twist of the winding key to the left releases the winding shaft, and further rotary movement of the winding key to the left causes the winding shaft to turn in a direction to slacken the tapes, the ratchet mechanism of the winding shaft being silent when the winding shaft is being turned in a direction to slacken the taining members.

tapes and, making a noise when-said shaft is being turned in 'a direction to tighten the tapes, thus enabling the user to determine ,whether the winding shaft isbeing turned in the proper direction,

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Let- I :ters Patent, is:

1. A loose leaf binder provided with a winding shaft, a plurality of flexible leaf :retaining members spaced apartand adapt- ,ed tobe connected to said shaft, and a plurality of separate and distinct supporting members for said winding shaft capable of being-arranged in various positions so as to vary the spacing between said leaf re- 2. A loose leaf ing shaft, a plurality of tapes, a locking mechanism for said winding shaft,'a -main unit that supports said winding shaft and locking mechanism, and an auxiliary sup- .port for said shaft formed by an additional unit that is separate and distinct from said main unit. a a i 3. A loose leaf binder, comprising a windtaining elements, and 'a plurality of separate and distinct members, each of whichserves as a support forthewinding-shaft and having a guide forone of the'leaf'retaining elements of the binder. I 2, but it will, of course, be understood that 4. A-loose le'a-f binder, comprising a plu rality of separate and distinct leaf clamping members arranged in spaced relation, a tape associated with each of said leaf clamping members, and a winding shaft for operating all of saidtapes. 1 5

5. A looseleafbinder, comprising a, winding shaft, covers, a plurality of tapes,vand a plurality, of bearings for said Winding shaft detachably connected to one "of said covers: and arranged in spaced relation and ,each provided with a guide for one of the tapes ofthe binder. v r 5- z 7 6. A loose leaf binder, comprising a windbinder, comprising ;a winding shaft, a plurality of flexible leaf'reing shaft, a plurality of tapes, a locking mechanism for said winding shaft, a' main unit for ca'rryin'g said locking mechanism and provided with'a guide for one of the tapes, andan auxiliary unit or units associated with the othertape or tapes andarrangedin spaced relation with saidlmain .unit, said mainnunit and auxiliary unit or units havingbearings for the Winding shaft.

7'. A loose leaf binder provided with a Winding shaft, atape connected to said shaft, a locking mechanism for-said shaft comprising two cooperating ratchet elements through which the shaft passes, one of said elements being mounted in such a manner that it can move longitudinally of the shaft, a winding key that is adapted to be mounted on the winding shaft, and means whereby ing a stationary ratchet element, a :cooperat- I tion: causes said, ratchet elements to be disengaged and the winding shaft to thereafter turn with said key. 7 4

8; A loose leaf binder provided a winding shaft, a tape connected to said shaft, a lockingmechanism-for said shaft'comprising key that is adapted to be mounted on one end ofthe winding shaft, and means whereby a slight: rotary movement of said key in one direction with relation to said shaft causes said ratchet elements to be disengaged,

9. A loose leaf binder provided with a winding shaft, a leaf retaining element connected to said shaft, a locking mechanism for "said shaft, comprising a ratchet wheel mounted onsaid shaft insueh a manner that 'it can move longitudinally of same but not turn with relation to the shaft, asliding co llar on said shaft connected with said ratchet wheel, a winding key adapted to be mounted on said shaft, and means whereby a slight rotary movement of said key in one direca locking mechanism for said shaft comprisingcocperating ratchet elements of substantially tubular form through which the shaft passes, said elements being arranged' soine distance from the end of the shaft, and means on said shaft adapted to be engaged by a key for causing one of said ratchet elements to move out of engagement with the other and thus release the shaft.

1 1. A loose leaf "binder provided with a winding shaft, a tape connected to said shaft, a lockingv mechanism for said shaft comprising a stationary ratchet element through which the shaft passes, a ratchet Wheel on said shaftmounted in such a manner that it can move longitudinally of the shaft, a

- rod arranged in a groove in said shaft and connected to said ratchet wheel mountedron theshaft, a sliding collar on said sjhaft'connected to said rod, a stationary abu'tmenton said shaft, and a key having a portion that is adapted to be inserted between said abutment and collar so as to disengage said 111g movable ratchet element mounted onthe winding-shaft in such a manner that it can move longitudinally of said shaft but cannot turn with relation to the shaft, a windshaft and provided With'an extension. that projects into an elongated slotin said ratchet wheel, a slidingcollar on said shaft con nected to said rod, and arigid abutmentor pin on said shaft that is adapated to cooperate' with a device used to move said collar longitudinally of the winding shaft so as to r i disengage said ratchet wheel from the ment with which it cooperates. v

' 13. A loose leaf binder, comprising-a windeleing shaft, "a memberhaving bearingstlu'ough I which said shaft passes, a substantially-tubular-shaped ratchet element surrounding's'aid V winding shaft and having a bifurcated portion that fits in a notch in said shaft supporting member, a spring-pressed ratchet wheel arranged on 'sai'dshaft in engagement with said ratchet element, acollar slidingly mounted on said shaft adjacent the outer end of same and connected with said ratchet wheel, and means for movingsaid'coll'ar longitudinally of said shaftso as to disengage said ratchet wheel from its cooperating element. F i a 14. A loose leaf binder, comprisinga winding shaft, a plurality of tapes, a plurality of units, each of which has a bearing forlsaid shaft and a guide through which one of said tapes passes, and a locking mechanism for said shaft associated with one of said units and comprising cooperating ratchetelements and means that is adapted to be operated by;

a winding key fordisengaging said elements so as to release the winding shaft;

15. A loose leaf binder, comprising covers, I

provided with a reinforced 'edge,"a winding shaft, a plurality of leaf retaining elements,

the reinforced edge of said-hinge. J

,a hinge connected to one of said covers and r Y-ADOLPHVJRVUBINI 

